In the seven years since library school, I've managed many projects. Some successful. Some not. But something I've never done until now is manage the creation of a new space. For the past year and a half, a huge part of my job as Head of Popular Materials at the Ela Area Public Library has been to help create and open the library's makerspace. We're now at the point where this makerspace is about to open.Let me tell you a little about Forge, our makerspace, because I truly believe this space will be unique and useful and beautiful. Forge is going to look like this.

After our grand opening on Sunday, I will be able to post an actual picture of the space!

Forge is one of the first things people will see when they enter the building. It is a glass and maple box in the middle of the first floor, designed by product architecture & design. Part of the beauty and genius of the design is that by being so visible and transparent the space facilitates connections with people who may not even realize they want to use it yet. It's simple, modern, and functional.

Inside customers will find all sorts of equipment, technology, and art supplies available for use. It's all listed on our website here. We wanted to include a wide variety of things - from mini looms and sewing machines to Arduino kits and a Lulzbot 3D printer. .

A big focus for us is how to make a wide range of tools and toys available and accessible to makers of all ages. I want this space to be useful. That's so important to me. I want our patrons to become better consumers, more thoughtful, while making use of Forge. So if they rip their shirt, they may think "Hey, I need to stop at the library and mend this!" instead of "Now I need to go buy a new shirt."

That's the goal. A functional, useful, and fun space for creation and collaboration.

Now it's easy to write this all down and talk big about better consumers and collaboration because we have spent the past year planning and planning and planning some more. During this time, I've learned is that a makerspace isn't just about the equipment you buy or the policies you write. It's about the people you surround yourself with to make it happen.

Committees often get a lot of flack in the business world and often for good reason. Too many committees means lots of time spent in board rooms and little time actually implementing. But the people on the makerspace committee are amazing, talented, and dedicated library workers. Forge never would have opened without these people on board.

This committee spans many departments: Administration, Circulation, IT, Technical Services, Children's, Adult Reference, and Popular Materials. And the skill set is varied, from paper crafters to technology experts. And I never, ever, could have opened Forge without them. We divided ourselves into three groups: Policies & Procedures, Supplies & Programming, and Staff Training & Website Development. This allowed us to tackle a massive project on top of our already very busy work schedules.

Of all the lessons I've learned this is the biggest: you cannot do it alone. I don't care how many 3D printers you put in a room, people are what will make a makerspace work.

All too often I have found myself in jobs as the lone wolf. The change agent. Pushing and pulling and persuading and even manipulating to get progressive projects off the ground. And I don't think that's unusual. For libraries this concept is all too often a reality. The new librarian fighting to get better services and spaces for their communities.

And while that's not necessarily a bad way to get things done, I now know that it's not the best way. Change agents burnout. You can only change so much when you work alone.

Because you cannot do it alone. I cannot do it alone. And for Forge, I didn't have to.